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Flexible Manufacturing System

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Buffer Station

Function: The Buffer station can buffer and separate up to five work pieces. Diffuse sensors at the beginning of the conveyor detect the inserted work pieces. Light barriers upstream and downstream of the separator control the process: If the transfer point is free, the separator passes on a work piece. The separator is actuated by a short-stroke cylinder with a deflecting mechanism. The end positions of the short-stroke cylinder are detected by means of end-position sensors.<o:p></o:p>

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Distribution Station

Function: The Distributing station separates work pieces. Up to eight work pieces are stored in the magazine tube of the stacking magazine. A double-acting cylinder pushes the work pieces out one at a time. The Changer module grips the separated work piece via a suction gripper. The swivel arm of the changer, which is driven by a rotary actuator, moves the work piece to the transfer point of the downstream station.<o:p></o:p>

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to see it in action!

Fluid Muscle Press Station

Function: The Fluidic Muscle Press station presses work piece inserts into the housings. The rotary/linear actuator (transfer device) moves the housing with the insert placed on it under the press. The pneumatic muscle performs the pressing operation. The finished work piece is then transported to the transfer position using the rotary/linear actuator. An optical diffuse sensor is attached to the arm of the actuator for sensing the work piece. The pressing pressure is monitored and displayed using the analogue pressure sensor. The press-in speed and depth can be varied both manually – via throttle and pressure regulator – and electronically – via the proportional pressure regulator.<o:p></o:p>

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to see it in action!

Handling Station

Function: The Handling station is equipped with a flexible two-axis handling device. Work pieces inserted into the holder are detected by an optical diffuse sensor. The handling device picks up the work pieces from there with the aid of a pneumatic gripper. The gripper is equipped with an optical sensor which differentiates between “black” and “non-black” work pieces. The work pieces can be placed on different slides according to this criterion. Other sorting criteria can be defined if the station is combined with other stations. Work pieces can also be transferred to a downstream station.<o:p></o:p>

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to see it in action!

Pick and Place Station

Function: The Pick & Place station is equipped with a two-axis Pick & Place module. Work piece housings placed on the conveyor are detected by an optical diffuse sensor. The work piece is transported to the pneumatic separator on the conveyor and detected by a second diffuse sensor. The Pick & Place module picks up a work piece insert from the slide and places it on the work piece housing. The complete work piece (housing and insert) is released by the separator and transported to the end of the conveyor. A light barrier detects the work piece at the end of the conveyor.<o:p></o:p>

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to see it in action!

Robot Station

Function: The Robot station can transport work pieces that are fed via a slide and place them in an assembly retainer. The sensor in the gripper enables the robot to differentiate work pieces by color (black/non-black). The sensor in the assembly retainer monitors the orientation of the work piece. From the assembly retainer the robot sorts the work pieces into various magazines or passes them on to the downstream station. Combination with the assembly station facilitates the assembly of work pieces.<o:p></o:p>

Click above picture or here

to see it in action!

Sorting Station

Function: The Sorting station sorts work pieces onto three slides. Work pieces placed on the start of the conveyor are detected by a diffuse sensor. Sensors upstream of the stopper detect the work piece features (black, red, metal). Sorting gates actuated by short-stroke cylinders via a deflector allow sorting of work pieces onto the appropriate slides. A retro-reflective sensor monitors the level of the slides. <o:p></o:p>

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to see it in action!

Testing Station

Function: The Testing station detects the various properties of the work pieces inserted into it. It differentiates work pieces with the aid of an optical and a capacitive sensor. A retro-reflective sensor monitors whether the operating space is free before the work piece is raised via a linear cylinder. An analogue sensor measures the height of the work piece. A linear cylinder guides correct work pieces via the upper air slide to the neighboring station. Faulty work pieces are rejected via the lower air slide.<o:p></o:p>

Click above picture or here

to see it in action!

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Flexible Manufacturing System

Overview video is embedded below. If you cannot see it, please click here.

Overview video is embedded below.

If you cannot see it, please click here.